This wikiHow teaches you how to rip DVD content to make a video file on your computer, then burn it to a blank DVD disc. This means that you will be making a playable copy of the DVD. Keep in mind that this action is considered illegal if you are doing it for profit.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Preparing to Run Ripping
Step 1. Make sure you have the necessary equipment
Before starting to rip DVDs, you should have the following items:
- Mac or Windows computer equipped with a DVD reader
- DVD you want to burn
- Blank DVD±R disc
Step 2. Purchase a USB DVD reader if needed
If your computer doesn't have a DVD slot, purchase a USB DVD reader so you can continue. Make sure the USB DVD reader supports burning so that you can burn or rip the DVD you want. If your device doesn't support it, you won't be able to continue the process.
On a Mac, you'll need a USB-C DVD reader
Step 3. Download and install HandBrake
HandBrake is a free video encoder that can be used to rip DVD discs. Download this program by visiting https://handbrake.fr/ in your computer browser. Next, click the button Download HandBrake the Red one. Do the following to install this program:
- Windows - Click the setup file that you downloaded, then click on the on-screen instructions to install HandBrake. Do not change the location for the HandBrake attachment.
- Mac - Double-click the HandBrake DMG file, verify the software when prompted, then click and drag the HandBrake icon onto the Applications shortcut, then follow the onscreen instructions.
Step 4. Install the HandBrake copy protection plugin
This add-on lets you rip DVDs by bypassing the protection so you can rip commercial DVDs (eg movies):
- Windows - Launch the browser and visit https://download.videolan.org/pub/libdvdcss/1.2.11/win64/, then click the link libdvdcss-2.dll and confirm that you do want to download it when prompted. Next, open This PC on the computer, double-click the computer hard disk, double-click the folder Program Files, then move the DLL file you downloaded into the folder HandBrake.
- Mac - Launch the browser and visit https://download.videolan.org/pub/libdvdcss/1.2.11/macosx/, then click the link libdvdcss.pkg, double-click the PKG file that you have downloaded and verify when prompted. Next, click on the instructions given in the setup window until the add-on is installed.
Step 5. Download a program to burn DVDs
Even though Mac and Windows computers have built-in DVD burning tools (i.e. Disk Utility or File Explorer), the results of burning in these two programs cannot be played on most DVD players. To solve this problem, download special software:
- Windows - Start a web browser and visit https://www.dvdflick.net/download.php, then click Download DVD Flick. Then double click the downloaded setup file, click Yes when prompted, and click on the instructions provided in the setup window until DVD Flick mounts.
- Mac - Launch a web browser and visit https://burn-osx.sourceforge.net/Pages/English/home.html, then click Download Burn which is in the lower right corner. Next, double-click the Burn ZIP folder to open it, click and drag the Burn app icon into the Applications folder, double-click the Burn icon, then verify the download when prompted, and follow the on-screen instructions.
Part 2 of 4: Ripping DVDs
Step 1. Insert the DVD disc into the computer's DVD reader
To do this, place the DVD into the DVD reader with the logo section on the top side. The computer will immediately read the DVD.
If the auto-play window opens immediately after you insert the DVD disc into your computer, close the window before you continue
Step 2. Run HandBrake
Double-click the HandBrake icon, which is a glass of tropical drink next to a pineapple.
Step 3. Select the desired DVD
Click Open Source in the upper left of the HandBrake window, then click the DVD name in the pop-out menu that appears. HandBrake will start reading the DVD.
When you launch HandBrake, the pop-out menu will usually open automatically
Step 4. Let HandBrake finish its task of reading DVD discs
This can take a few minutes. So, make sure the computer is kept charged (or plugged into a power source) and placed in a well-ventilated area.
The DVD reader drive will warm up from this point on until you finish burning the DVD copy. So, make sure the computer is placed in a well-ventilated area
Step 5. Click Browse
It's in the lower-right corner of HandBrake (on Windows), or on the right side of HandBrake (on Mac). A new window will be opened.
Step 6. Set the desktop as storage
Click folder Desktop which is on the left side of the window (you may have to scroll up to find it). This will make it easier for you to find the DVD file later.
On a Mac, click the " Where " drop-down box in the middle of the window, then click Desktop in the displayed drop-down menu.
Step 7. Name the file
Type any word to name the rip file in the " File Name " or " Name " text box.
Step 8. Click Save at the bottom of the window
The storage location for the rip DVD file will be set where you specify.
Step 9. Click Start Encode
"Play" button
This green and black color is located at the top of the HandBrake window.
On Mac computers, you have to click Start here.
Step 10. Wait for the DVD to finish ripping
By default, the HandBrake program will rip the DVD twice and select the highest quality so the process can take 1 hour (or more) if the movie is long.
You can speed up the ripping process by closing all programs running in the background (eg video players, web browsers, etc.) while the DVD is being burned
Step 11. Eject your DVD
Press the " Eject " button on the DVD player cover. The disc will pop out. At this point, you are ready to burn MP4 files to a DVD disc.
If you are using an older Mac computer, press Eject
Part 3 of 4: Burn DVD on Windows Computer
Step 1. Insert a blank DVD±R into the DVD reader
Position the disc logo on the top side. After you do that, a DVD window may open. Close the window before you continue.
Step 2. Run DVD Flick
Double-click the DVD Flick icon which is a movie strip.
Step 3. Move the MP4 DVD file into DVD Flick
Find the MP4 file on the desktop, then click and drag the video into the DVD Flick window to place the file into the DVD Flick window.
Step 4. Click Project settings at the top of the window
Step 5. Click Burn
This tab is on the left side of the page.
Step 6. Check the "Burn project to disc" box
The box is at the top of the page.
Step 7. Click Accept located at the bottom of the window
Your changes will be saved and the main page will be displayed again.
Step 8. Click Create DVD
It's at the top of the window. At this point, the DVD Flick program will start burning the selected MP4 onto a blank DVD disc.
You may be asked to choose a different file name. If this happens, click Continue to close the command window.
Step 9. Wait for the DVD to finish burning
The process can take a few minutes to several hours depending on the speed of your computer and the size of the file. When the DVD has finished burning, remove the disc and play it on the DVD player.
Just like when ripping DVDs, you can speed up the DVD burning process if you close all programs running in the background (eg video players, web browsers, etc.)
Part 4 of 4: Burn DVD on Mac Computer
Step 1. Insert a blank DVD±R into the DVD reader
Position the disc logo on the top side. After you do that, a DVD window may open. Close the window before you continue.
Step 2. Run Burn
Click Spotlight
type burn, and double click the option Burn when it appears in search results.
You may have to right-click the Burn app icon, click Open in the menu, then click Open when prompted for Burn to open properly.
Step 3. Click Videos
This tab is at the top of the Burn window.
Step 4. Name the DVD
Click the text field at the top of the Burn window, then type in whatever word you want to name the DVD.
Step 5. Click in the lower-left corner of the window
A Finder window will open.
Step 6. Select the desired MP4 file
Click Desktop which is on the left side of the Finder window, then click the MP4 file that you got from the DVD rip.
Step 7. Click Open which is located in the lower right corner of the Finder window
The Finder application will close and the MP4 file will be opened in Burn.
Step 8. Click the File type drop-down box
This option is in the upper right of the Burn window. A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 9. Click DVD-Video in the drop-down menu
If the button appears Convert after you do this, click Convert, and follow the instructions given on the screen to make sure the file can be played on the DVD player.
Step 10. Click Burn in the lower right corner
Burn will start burning the MP4 file onto a DVD disc.
Step 11. Follow the instructions given on the screen
Maybe you will get a notification when the burning process is complete. Otherwise, wait for the progress bar to disappear. When burning is complete, eject the DVD disc and play it on the DVD player.
